Things to Do Near the Lavender Farms of Prince Edward County, Ontario

The lavender farms

• Prince Edward County LavenderLavender farm · Hillier

  mid-June to the end of July

  Open during bloom, mid-June to end of July, admission at the gate; Lavender Festival two weekends in July; boutique by appointment otherwise; three-room B&B.

• Violet Hill LavenderLavender farm · Picton

  Open in summer on a posted schedule; closed for the 2026 season; online shop year-round.

Best time to visit

Prince Edward County Lavender's season runs from mid-June until the end of July, and its 2026 Lavender Festival was July 4–5 and 11–12. Campbell's Orchards has strawberries in mid to late June and pick-your-own apples and tomatoes from late August into October, with pumpkins from mid-September. Sandbanks was open April 24 to October 26, 2026; North Beach is day use only from June 6 to October 4; Lake on the Mountain runs May 8 to October 12. Presqu'ile, across the bay in Brighton, is open all year and is best for birding in May, when warblers and shorebirds pass through. The Wellington Saturday market ran into October in 2026.

Places to see nearby parks, trails, beaches and landmarks

• Ameliasburgh Heritage Village🏛️ Historic site · Ameliasburgh · about 6 mi, 10 min drive

  A pioneer village of historic buildings, including a former Methodist church, a log cabin and a blacksmith shop.

• Millennium Trail🥾 Trail · Wellington · about 5 mi, 10 min drive

  A 46 km trail across the County; the stretch through Wellington is an easy walk or bike ride, and in winter it is used for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

  free

• Wellington Heritage Museum🏛️ Museum · Wellington · about 5 mi, 10 min drive

  Local history in a former Quaker meeting house, with rotating exhibits, a heritage garden and a sculpture by Philippe Pallafray out back; the village beach and Saturday market are steps away.

• North Beach Provincial Park🏖️ Beach · Consecon · about 9 mi, 15 min drive

  More than a kilometer of sand between a sheltered bay and the open lake, quieter than Sandbanks, with a dog beach and a lifejacket lending program.

  Day use June 6–October 4 (2026)

  Ontario Parks day-use permit, bought in advance

• Sandbanks Provincial Park🌳 State park · Picton · about 12 mi, 20 min drive

  Home to the world's largest baymouth barrier dune formation and three sandy beaches; Outlet Beach has shallow water for families, and there are two dog beaches and paddleboard and kayak rentals.

  April 24–October 26 (2026)

  Ontario Parks day-use permit; reserve ahead in summer

• Macaulay Heritage Park🏛️ Historic site · Picton · about 16 mi, 25 min drive

  Macaulay House, built in 1830, the former Church of St. Mary Magdalene with the exhibit 'A Path Forward', an old parish cemetery and heritage gardens in the heart of Picton.

  Wed–Sun; 10–4 from May long weekend to Labour Day, 1–4 the rest of the year

  By donation

• Lake on the Mountain Provincial Park🌳 State park · Picton · about 21 mi, 30 min drive

  A lake that sits about 60 meters above Lake Ontario with a steady flow of fresh water and no obvious source; the lookout faces the Bay of Quinte and the Glenora ferry.

  May 8–October 12 (2026), day use only

• Mariners Park Museum🏛️ Museum · South Marysburgh · about 21 mi, 30 min drive

  Maritime history of the County's south shore: fishing, shipbuilding and speedboat racing, plus a permanent exhibit, Searching for the Arrow, on the Avro Arrow.

• Presqu'ile Provincial Park🌳 State park · Brighton · about 21 mi, 30 min drive

  Ontario's second-oldest operating lighthouse, a 2.5 km beach, a 1 km marsh boardwalk and about 16 km of trails; 338 bird species have been recorded. No dogs on the beach.

  Open year-round (2026)

  Ontario Parks day-use permit

Where to stop: farms, food and stays

• Closson Chase VineyardsWinery or vineyard (21+) · Hillier

  Hillier winery established in 1998, a minute down Closson Road from the lavender farm, with a tasting room and garden.

• The Grange of Prince EdwardWinery or vineyard (21+) · Hillier

  Estate winery on Closson Road with vineyards first planted in the early 2000s and a tasting room open daily.

• Campbell's OrchardsApple orchard · Carrying Place

  Family orchard market and bakery since 1967 with pick-your-own apples and tomatoes from late August into October.

• Kinsip House of Fine SpiritsDistillery (21+) · Bloomfield

  Grain-to-glass farm distillery outside Bloomfield with patio tastings of its rye, maple whisky and gins, May through October.

• The County Cider CompanyCidery (21+) · Waupoos

  Ontario's first licensed cidery, with cider flights and a weekend patio restaurant overlooking Lake Ontario at Waupoos.

A one-day plan

1. 10:00 AM
   Prince Edward County Lavender

   Walk the lavender rows and the knot garden; about 1 hour (mid-June to end of July).

2. 11:15 AM
   Campbell's Orchards · about 15 min drive

   Lunch from the bakery and farm market, and pick fruit in season; about 1 hour.

3. 12:30 PM
   North Beach Provincial Park · about 15 min drive

   Swim in the sheltered bay or walk the beach; about 1.5 hours (day permit bought ahead).

4. 2:20 PM
   Wellington Heritage Museum · about 20 min drive

   Visit the old meeting house and garden, then walk a stretch of the Millennium Trail through the village; about 45 minutes.

5. 3:20 PM
   Kinsip House of Fine Spirits · about 10 min drive

   A patio tasting for the adults in the group, with a designated driver; about 45 minutes.

6. 4:20 PM
   Sandbanks Provincial Park · about 15 min drive

   Climb the dunes and finish with a late-afternoon swim at Outlet Beach; about 1.5 hours.

7. 6:20 PM
   Lake on the Mountain Provincial Park · about 30 min drive

   Evening view over the Bay of Quinte from the lookout; about 30 minutes.

🗺️ Plan this trip in the trip planner

Tips

• Ontario Parks day-use permits for Sandbanks and North Beach are sold online; book ahead for summer weekends, and scan the barcode at the automatic gates.
• Prince Edward County Lavender charges $8 at the gate in regular season and $12.50 during the festival (2026), children 12 and under free; no pets during the festival.
• Several wineries sit on Closson Road within a few minutes of the lavender farm; plan a designated driver if your group is tasting.
• Presqu'ile is on the mainland in Brighton, about 30 minutes west of Hillier, and dogs are not allowed on its beach at any time.
• Violet Hill Lavender closes after its summer season; check its website for opening days before you drive out.